Home Shop Machining/CAD

Computer Aided Design
CAD systems are 2 dimensional, much like traditional drafting, or 3 dimensional modelling systems. With 3D, there are 2 approaches: parametric, in that work is started as a 2D sketch that is "defined" and then processed into 3D forms, or direct modelling, where 3D objects are manipulated. There is some convergence and the lines between these 2 approaches, and even between 2D and 3D, are getting blurry.

Home Shop Machinists use CAD to:

 * Make shop drawings to work from.
 * Model 3D objects to check for fit and function.
 * Generate code to run CNC machines.
 * As well, running structural analysis on designs is becoming possible.

Free for Hobby Use

 * / Fusion 360 / - From Autodesk, parametric 3D modelling system. Requires online account but does allow some offline editing.
 * / OnShape / - Fully web browser based parametric 3D modelling system. Free but models must be public domain.
 * / SketchUp / - From Trimble (bought from Google). Very easy to use 3D modelling system.  Intuitive inference engine.

Expensive but Industry Standard

 * / AutoCAD /
 * / Inventor /
 * / SolidWorks /